Joe Root’s outstanding 120 runs were in vain as Afghanistan defeated England by an incredible 8 runs on Wednesday in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Group B match, preserving their ambitions of making it to the semi-finals.

Afghanistan defeated Jos Buttler’s team in a virtual quarterfinal between the teams at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, and England was added to the list of teams officially eliminated from the competition, along with Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Ben Duckett and Phil Salt made it plain that they were determined to chase 326 as England got off to a fast start. However, Phil Salt’s expulsion by Azmatullah Omarzai delivered the team a severe setback.

Jamie Smith fell for nine off the first delivery from Mohammad Nabi, unable to make his promotion up-the-order count.

Harry Brook and Ben Duckett, for example, had a strong start but were dismissed on 25 and 38, respectively, so they were unable to capitalize.

Earlier, Ibrahim Zadran made cricket history by scoring an incredible 177 off 146 balls, which helped his side to their highest-ever total in an ICC 50-over competition. Afghanistan scored 325/7 thanks to his innings, which included six maximums and 12 fours.

Zadran broke the record for the highest individual score in the history of the tournament with 177 runs, surpassing Ben Duckett’s 165 in England’s Champions Trophy opening match against Australia in Lahore that same year. He also became the first Afghanistan batter to score a century in the Champions Trophy by destroying the England bowling attack. Zadran’s performance demonstrated how to pace an ODI knock like a pro. He and captain Hashmatullah Shahidi stabilized the innings in a vital 103-run partnership after Afghanistan was thrashed early and reduced to 37/3. After being set, he used a variety of strokes to precisely destroy England’s assault. His innings was about dominating rather than simply surviving, as he picked up speed in the closing stages to make sure Afghanistan made the most of their remaining overs with a spectacular 113-run explosion in the last ten. Afghanistan’s previous best score in ICC events, 291/5 against Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup, was surpassed thanks to his effort.

Jofra Archer’s explosive new-ball stint gave England an early lead, cutting Afghanistan to 37/3, but the innings was held together by a vital 103-run partnership between captain Hashmatullah Shahidi and Zadran.

The recovery of Afghanistan was led by Zadran and Shahidi. Initially, the pair played conservatively to prevent any further defeats. Zadran hit three fours and two sixes to get his fifty off 65 balls. Shahidi’s assistance was invaluable, and their collaboration offered much-needed stability. Afghanistan finished strongly thanks to late appearances from Azmatullah Omarzai and Muhammad Nabi, while England’s attack faltered and let up 113 runs in the last ten overs.